Tongs with clamp and stop means

ABSTRACT

A barbecue tongs is provided wherein the arms are yieldingly outwardly biased. The tongs incorporate an arm pivot limiter for each of outward pivotal movement and inward pivotal movement as well as an arm lock that holds the arms in an almost fully jaws closed configuration for convenient storage. The tongs utilize a slidable U-shaped sleeve at the rear end which can have either one of two positions selected by a user. In one position, the arm lock is operational while in the second position the outward pivot limiter is operational.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/795,695 filed Feb. 28, 2001, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to tongs adapted for use barbecuing andthe like that are equipped with an arm clamp and arm pivot limiters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Tongs are a basic device for seizing, lifting, or moving objects.Tongs are characterized by having two adjacent long arms. The respectivearm front ends function as jaws and pivot between open and closedconfigurations relative to a hinge-like interconnection existing betweenthe respective arm rear ends in the manner of a class three lever.

[0004] The construction, configuration and size of the long arms of atongs are chosen with regard to the end use intended for the tongs. Inthe case of tongs intended for use in barbecuing, the arms arerelatively long and large so as to permit the user of the tongs to bespaced from the food that is being prepared. Thereby, the user avoidsundesirable exposure or contact either with heat radiating from beneaththe grill on which the food rests during its cooling, or with hot greaseor particles spattering outwardly from the heated grill or food on thegrill.

[0005] Usually a barbecue tongs is best handled and manipulated by onehand of the user, and usually it is most convenient to have the anusyieldingly biased into an outward, open configuration. Thus, when thehand of the user loosely holds a rearward portion of the tongs, the armsof the tongs maintain themselves in an open configuration, yet, when theuser's hand is closed, compressive force is applied against the bias,and the arms close enabling the arm jaws to grasp a chosen item, such asa piece of food or a red hot coal. Hence, the opening and closing of thehand of the user effectuates opening and closing of the forward endportions of the arms. The other hand of the user is typicallyconcurrently used for other tasks associated with barbecuing food.

[0006] However, a problem of classic proportions is associated withbarbecue tongs: The arms, so biased, can cause the tongs to beunmanageable, or nearly so. Thus, the outward bias provided for the armsdoes not limit outward movement of the arms so that the arms can flyopen to a uselessly wide extent if not continuously gripped by a user'shand, but such a gripping is commonly not practical through an entirebarbecuing procedure. Also, the outward bias can severely interfere withpractical or convenient storage of the barbecue tongs in a confinedlocation when the tongs are not in active use or are not being grasped.

[0007] Further, when arms that are so biased are manually pivoted to ajaws closed configuration, the applied manual compression, or jawsclosing, force is hard to control under use conditions. Commonly theapplied force is somewhat excessive, causing the members of the jaw pairtend to override one another with the result that one jaw slipslaterally relative to the other. This override can result not only in anundesirable stress upon the arms and the hinge like, rear endinterconnection between the arms, but also in a shifting, mutilation,or, sometimes, an ejection of an object grasped between the closed jawstendency so that the object is damaged.

[0008] Various means have heretofore been provided for limiting (orstopping) the outward and the inward pivoting extent of arm movement inbarbecue tongs having outwardly biased arms, and for locking or clampingthe anus in a substantially closed position. Commonly, such prior artstop and/or clamp means may involve an auxiliary member that isseparatable from, but associatable, in some way, with the arms, and whenso associated, effectuates a desired stop effect or clamp effect. Suchan arrangement has disadvantages. For example, the auxiliary member canbe cumbersome. When, for instance, the tongs so equipped are in use, theauxiliary member may be separated and easily lost or mislaid.

[0009] In prior art tongs, sometimes a stop means can interfere with aclamp means. Also, sometimes, a stop or clamp means may be used in amanner that is injurious to the tongs.

[0010] In the art of barbecue tongs, an improved structural arrangementis needed that incorporates integrally both an arm stop means and anon-interfering arm clamp means. Preferably the arm stop means canfunction limit both the outward and the inward pivoting extent of thearms. Such an improved tongs is provided by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention relates to improved tongs well adapted foruse in barbecuing and the like. The tongs arms are outwardly biased andare equipped with clamp means for locking the arms in a substantiallyclosed position and also with stop means for limiting the extent ofoutward and preferably also inward pivoting movements of the arms. Thestop means and the clamp means are integrated into the structure of thetongs yet they do not interfere either with each other or with normalusage of the tongs.

[0012] The inventive tongs incorporate a pair of elongated arms thatextend in adjacent aligned relationship relative to one another witheach arm having a front end portion and an opposed rear end portion. Therespective front end portions coact to comprise a pair of jaws that openand close to grasp a selected object.

[0013] The respective rear end portions are pivotably associatedtogether and permit the jaws to advance pivotably towards and away fromone another relative to the rear end portions.

[0014] A spring extends between the arms and is arranged to yieldinglybias the arms into an outward configuration relative to each other.

[0015] A reversibly actuatable clamp means is provided for holding whenactuated the jaws in a nearly closed configuration.

[0016] A first pivot limiting means is provided that is associated withthe clamp means and that limits maximum outward movement of the jawsrelative to one another.

[0017] The clamp means and the first pivot limiting means employ aflange and a U-shaped sleeve that is slidably associated with theflange. The flange and the sleeve are at the rear end of the tongs. Inone position along the flange, the sleeve with the arms in a nearlyclosed configuration holds the arms in a fixed position. In anotherposition along the flange, the sleeve functions to allow the arms toopen only to a predetermined extent.

[0018] A second pivot limiting means is provided that is associated withthe arms and that limits the inward travel of the arms when the jaws arein a substantially closed configuration.

[0019] The inventive tongs overcome the above indicated disadvantages ofprior art tongs and provide a new and very useful tong stricture wellsuited for barbecuing and the like.

[0020] Other and further objects, aims, features, purposes, advantages,functions, embodiments and the like will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from the teachings of the present specification taken with theaccompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the drawings:

[0022]FIG. 1 an environmental perspective view of an embodiment of theinventive tongs;

[0023]FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the FIG. 1 tongs;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 tongs in a closedconfiguration with the arm closing stops engaged;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 tongs in a closedconfiguration with the retaining clamp actuated;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 tongs in a fullyopen configuration with the arm opening stops engaged;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a rear end elevational view of the FIG. 1 tongs in theFIG. 4 configuration with the retaining clamp actuated;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the rear end region ofthe FIG. 1 tongs in the FIG. 4 configuration with the retaining clampactuated;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the rear end region ofthe FIG. 1 tongs in the FIG. 4 configuration with the retaining clampactuated;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a longitudinal medial sectional view through the FIG. 4configuration of the FIG. 1 tongs with the hanging ring removed;

[0031]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the retaining clamp shownapart from the tongs;

[0032]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the retaining clamp when the FIG. 1tongs is in the FIG. 4 configuration;

[0033]FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the retaining clamp when the FIG.1 tongs is in the FIG. 4 configuration;

[0034]FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately along theline XIII B XIII of FIG. 3; and

[0035]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary rear end elevational view of the FIG. 1tongs in the FIG. 4 configuration showing the region between the armrear ends with the U-shaped sleeve removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Referring to the Figures, there is seen an embodiment 20 of atongs of the invention, the tongs 20 being well adapted for use inbarbecuing and the like. The tongs 20 incorporates a pair of elongatedarms 21 and 22 each of which here has a generally straightconfiguration. Each of the arms 21 and 22 has a proximal or front endportion 21A and 22A and an opposed distal or rear end portion 21B and22B, respectively.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the arms 21and 22 can be variously fabricated. Here, each arm 21 and 22 has acompound structure and is comprised to two sections 41 and 42, and 43and 44, respectively. The sections 41 and 42, and the sections 43 and44, are each integrally formed together to define a one-piece arm 21 and22 structure, respectively.

[0038] The forward sections 41 and 43 each extend generally straight andare each preferably comprised of a formed and rigid sheet metal,preferably a stainless steel. The forward end and opposite sides of eachsection 41 and 43 are down- or in-turned (depending on sectionorientation) for strength and rigidification purposes. The down-turnedopposite sides of each proximal or front end portion 21A and 22A of eachsection 41 and 43 are provided with a serrated or tooth-likeconfiguration 46, thereby to achieve a jaw member 23 and 24,respectively, that is adapted for grasping and holding. The back or bodyportion of each front-end portion 21A and 22A is provided with ventslots 48 and 47 respectively.

[0039] The rearward sections 42 and 44 each extend generally straightand are each preferably comprised of a unitarily molded plastic that ispreferably relatively heat stable and heat resistant, such as arelatively high molecular weight polypropylene, or the like. In themolding, the inner end portion 41B, 43B of each forward section 41 and43 is embedded in the forward end portion 42A, 44A of each rearwardsection 42 and 44, respectively, so that the sections 41 and 43 eachproject forwardly as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Preferably, and asshown, the general cross-sectional configuration along each section 42and 43 is rectangular, but exceptions occur (a) in the forward endregion 42A, 44A of each section 42 and 43, where opposite edge portionsare each preferably outwardly flared (as shown, for example, in FIG. 9)to retard forward movement or placement of a user's hand, and (b) in therear end or distal regions 42B and 43B, respectively, where inneropposed side portions of each section 42 and 43 are transversely(relatively to tongs 20) thickened (as shown, for example, in FIG. 2) toprovide hinge leaf members as below described. Also, in two mediallyspaced inner side regions, each section 42 and 43 is provided withprojections as below described.

[0040] To enable the jaw members 23 and 24 to coact as a pair of jawsand to pivot between open and closed positions for object grasping andreleasing, the respective rear end portions 21B and 22B are pivotablyinterconnected. For such an interconnection, the respective rear endportions 21B and 22B are each terminally configured to achieve a pivotalor hinged association therebetween. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that various arrangements can be utilized. In general, eacharm rear end portion 21B and 22B has at least one terminally locatedhinge leaf member. Various hinge leaf member arrangements can beemployed. In embodiment 20, the rear end portion 21B is provided at eachof its lateral opposite sides with an upstanding, symmetricallyconfigured (relative to each other) leaf 26 and 27 (see, for example,FIG. 2 or FIG. 13). Each leaf 26 and 27 effectively upstandstransversely from the associated rear end portion 21B, and each leaf 26and 27 has a generally hemi-circular exposed perimeter configuration.

[0041] The rear end portion 22B is provided in a mid-region thereofbetween each of its lateral opposite sides with a single, upstandingleaf 28 which effectively upstands transversely from the associated rearend portion 22B. The exposed perimeter surface portions of leaf 28 havea generally hemi-cylindrical configuration.

[0042] The relationship between the leaves 26 and 27 and the leaf 28,and the Configuration of the rear end portions 21B and 22B, is such thatthe leaf 28 is nestably received between the leaves 26 and 27 inadjacent relationship. A central aperture 29 is defined in each leaf 26and 27. Aperture 29 is coaxial with a central aperture 31 that isdefined in leaf28. After the rear end portions 21B and 22B are engagedwith one another and the apertures 29 and 31 are aligned, a pintle 32(see FIG. 2, for example) is extended through the aligned apertures 29and 31, thereby defining a hinge structure 33 wherein the leaf 28opposite side faces are oppositely pivotable relative to the adjacentrespective side faces of the leaves 26 and 27. Pivoting of hinge 33occurs about a pivot axis (not detailed) that extends normally relativeto the arms 21 and 22 and that coincides generally with the center ofthe pintle 32. The hinge structure 33 permits the jaw members 23 and 24to advance either towards or away from one another relative to the hingestructure 33. The leaves 26, 28 and 27 are configured so that, when thejaw members 23 and 24 are in a fully closed configuration, edge portionsthereof meet and the arms 21 and 22 have advanced to an orientation thatis slightly beyond a generally spaced, parallel relationshiptherebetween (see, for example, FIG. 3).

[0043] The pintle 32 can have various structures, but is preferably hasa hollow rivet type structure and is conveniently comprised of aswagable metal, such as brass, or nickel coated brass. After assemblywith the leaves 26, 28 and 27, the opposite ends of the rivet structurecan be flared outwardly by swaging or the like, as those skilled in theart will appreciate, thereby permanently connecting the leaves 26, 28and 27 together in the desired pivotal relationship with the pintle 32.Thereafter, each opposite in-turned end portion of a loop or ring 34 ofmaterial, preferably steel, is inserted into a different respective endof the pintle 32, thereby providing a convenient support means forhanging the tongs 20 from a hook or the like (not shown).

[0044] To achieve a yielding outward biasing of the jaw members 23 and24 relative to each other, a spring member is utilized which exerts anoutward biasing force against the arms 21 and 22. Those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that various springs and spring arrangementscan be employed. In embodiment 20, the inner surface of each section 42and 44 is provided with a cylindrical, or preferably slightly conicallyoutwardly decliningly tapered, housing 36 and 37, respectively. Thehousings 36 and 37 are located in adjacent but spaced relationship tohinge 33 and the housings 36 and 37 are positioned in an transverselyaligned, opposed relationship relative to each other. Housing 37 isconfigured to move longitudinally, but arcuately and in non-contactingrelationship, within housing 36 in the assembled tongs 20 during pivotalmovements of the arms 21 and 22 (see FIG. 5, for example).

[0045] As shown, for example, in FIG. 9, a cylindrically or preferablyas shown slightly conically tapered coiled spring 38 is axiallypositioned within the housings 36 and 37 during assembly of the tongs20. Respective opposite end portions of the spring 38 thus each engageand exert an outward yielding bias upon the surface area located at thebase of each housing 36 and 37. That surface area in each base comprisesa portion of a different respective one of the arms 21 and 22.

[0046] The tongs 20 includes a reversibly actuatable clamp means that,when actuated by a user, is adapted for holding, or, in effect, lockingtogether, the respective jaw members 23 and 24 in a nearly closedconfiguration, such as illustrated for example in FIG. 4, where the arms21 and 22 are approximately in a spaced, parallel relationship. Theclamp means utilizes a flange 51 that is integrally formed with section42 and that rearwardly projects from the rear end portion 21B of thesection 42 of the arm 21. The flange 51 extends laterally across thesection 42 and has opposed opposite side faces 52 and 53 that are eachprovided with a medially located and longitudinally (relative to theflange 51) extending groove 54 and 55, respectively (see, for example,FIGS. 7 and 8). The flange 51 is located adjacent to the base of theleaves 26 and 27 where they join the body of the rear end region 21B.

[0047] In the assembled tongs 20, the laterally extending terminal edgeof the rear end portion 22B is configured to be discontinuous and isdefined by equal projecting regions (or projections) 58, 59 and 60between which are interdigitated open slots 61 and 62, respectively(see, for example, FIG. 6). As a consequence, when the arms 21 and 22are in the configuration shown, for example, in FIG. 4, a straight,laterally (relative to the arms 21 and 22) extending slotted recess 57is generally defined between (a) the projecting regions 58, 59 and 60along the terminal edge of the rear end portion 22B and (b) the adjacentside face 53 of the flange 51. Relative to the flange 51, thearrangement is preferably and as shown such that the side face 52 of theflange 51 has a greater cross width (taken longitudinally along thetongs 20) than the opposite side face 53, thereby permitting the rearend region 21B to be molded over a base portion of the side face 53 soas to better support the side face 52.

[0048] The clamp means also utilizes a flattened, generally U-shapedsleeve 63 that has a broad width and that has opposed respective sidesdefined by flattened leg members 64 and 65 with leg member 65 beinglonger and somewhat thicker than leg member 64. The U-shaped sleeve 63is conveniently comprised of molded plastic; the plastic can, forexample, be like that used in sections 42 and 44. The U-shaped sleeve 63mounts over the flange 51 with each leg member 64 and 65 slidablyengaging and being moveable along a different respective side face 52and 53. On an inside opposed surface portions of each leg member 64 and65, a raised shoulder 67 and 68, respectively, is provided (see FIG. 10,for example). Each shoulder 67 and 68 is configured to engage a groove54 and 55, respectively.

[0049] The terminal outer end edge region of leg member 65 of U-shapedsleeve 63 is discontinuous and is defined by a pair of projectingportions 69 and 70. Each projecting portion 69 and 70 is locatedadjacent to a different lateral opposite side edge of the leg member 65.Between the projecting portions 69 and 70 along the end edge region ofleg member 65 is an open slot 72 (see, for example, FIG. 11). When thearms 21 and 22 are in the configuration shown, for example, in FIG. 4,and the position of the U-shaped sleeve 63 along the flange 51 is suchthat (a) the projecting portions 69 and 70 are located in and occupyportions of the slotted recess 57 while concurrently (b) each of theprojecting regions 58 and 59 is aligned with a projecting portion 69 and70, respectively, then the arms 21 and 22 are retained in asubstantially closed or locked configurations. This locked configurationconsequentially results when the projecting portions 58 and 59 of therear end portion 22B are brought pivotally into contact with theprojecting portions 69 and 70, respectively, by reason of the spring 38bias urging the hinge 33 into an open configuration, so that the arms 21and 22 are prevented from pivoting outwardly relative to each other.

[0050] When the arms 21 and 22 are in the maximum open configurationillustrated in FIG. 5, the position of the U-shaped sleeve 63 along theflange 51 is such that the projecting portions 69 and 70 are alignedwith, and occupy, the slots 61 and 62 while concurrently the projectingregion 59 occupies the slot 72. The projection 60 is located adjacent toone side of the U-shaped sleeve member 63 and the projection 58 islocated adjacent to the opposite side of the U-shaped sleeve member 63.Thus, the arms 21 and 22 pivot outwardly relative to one another byreason of the spring 38 bias urging the hinge 33 into the openconfiguration shown in FIG. 5 where the projections 58, 59 and 60 reachand abut against portions of the side face 52, thereby preventingfurther outward pivoting of the arms 21 and 22 and limiting the extentof outward pivoting of the arms 21 and 22.

[0051] Thus, either one of two positions may be selected by a user forthe U-shaped sleeve member 63 along the flange 51. In one position, theU-shaped sleeve member 63 functions to lock or hold the arms 21 and 22in a fixed position where the jaws 23 and 24 are almost in a closedposition. In the second position, the U-shaped sleeve member 63functions to limit or stop outward pivoting movement of the arms 21 and22.

[0052] Another or second pivot limiting means is associated with thearms 21 and 22 to limit further inward movement of said arms once thejaw members 23 and 24 are in a predetermined substantially fully closedconfiguration, such as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. This second pivotlimiting means utilizes a pedestal 75 and a pedestal 76, each mediallylocated on a section 42 and 44, respectively, of each arm 21 and 22.Each pedestal 75 and 76 has an outer or terminal facial portion 77 and78, respectively, that is adapted to abuttingly engage with the othersuch portion. Each pedestal 75 and 76 is in transversely (relative totongs 20) aligned relationship with the other. Thus, when the jawmembers 23 and 24 are pivoted to a substantially fully closedconfiguration, the respective outer facial portions 77 and 78 of eachpedestal 75 and 76 engage, thereby limiting further pivotal closing ofthe jaw members 23 and 24.

[0053] To limit lateral movement of the jaw members 23 and 24 relativeto one another when the arms 21 and 22 are in a fully closed positionsuch as illustrated in FIG. 3, each pedestal 75 and 76 is provided witha hollow or tube like configuration. One pedestal, here pedestal 75, hasa circumferentially extending, upstanding shoulder 79 on its facialportion 77. The shoulder 79 is located in radially inwardly spacedrelationship relative to outer edge regions of facial portion 77. Thefacial portion 78 of the other pedestal 76 is configured to engagematingly with, and fit over, the facial portion 77. When the facialportions abut and engage the shoulder 79 prevents the pedestal 75 frommoving laterally, thereby avoiding lateral slipping action of one jawmember 23 relative to the other member 24.

[0054] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular structure and components shown and described, and thatchanges and adaptations are contemplated which readily and fairly fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth and determinedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pair of elongated arms, each arm having a frontend portion and an opposed rear end portion, the respective rear endportions being pivotally attached, whereby the respective front endportions are movable with respect to one another in a pivotal manner toform a pair of jaws that are capable of grasping an object, comprising:a spring extending between the arms for outwardly biasing the armsrelative to one another; a flange projecting from the rear end portionof one of the arms, a U-shaped sleeve slidably coupled to the flange andbeing capable of assuming a first position and a second position;wherein placing the sleeve in the first position fixes the arms in asubstantially closed position; and wherein placing the sleeve in thesecond position limits the outward movement of the arms to a predefinedposition.
 2. The elongated arms as set forth in claim 1, wherein thearms further include a pedestal associated with each of the arms, eachpedestal being in opposed, aligned relationship with the other andadapted to abut the opposed pedestal when the elongated arms are pivotedto a substantially closed position, thereby limiting the inward movementof the arms with respect to one another.
 3. The elongated arms as setforth in claim 2, wherein one of the pedestals further includes acylindrical end portion that is adapted to fit within a recessed area ofthe opposed pedestal, the recessed area being sized and arranged tomatingly receive the cylindrical end portion of the other pedestal.
 4. Apair of elongated arms, each arm having a front end portion and anopposed rear end portion, the respective rear end portions beingpivotally attached, whereby the respective front end portions aremovable with respect to one another in a pivotal manner to form a pairof jaws that are capable of grasping an object, comprising: a springextending between the arms for outwardly biasing the arms relative toone another; and a frustoconically-shaped pedestal located on each ofthe arms, each pedestal being in opposed, aligned relationship with theother and adapted to abut the opposed pedestal when the arms are pivotedto a substantially closed position, thereby limiting the inward movementof the arms with respect to one another.
 5. The elongated arms as setforth in claim 4, wherein one of the pedestals further includes acylindrical end portion that is adapted to fit within a recessed area ofthe opposed pedestal, the recessed area being sized and arranged tomatingly receive the cylindrical end portion of the other pedestal. 6.The elongated arms as set forth in claim 4, wherein the arms furtherinclude a flange projecting from the rear end portion of one of the armsand a U-shaped sleeve slidably coupled to the flange, the sleeve beingcapable of limiting the outward movement of the front end portion of thearms with respect to one another.
 7. The elongated arms as set forth inclaim 6, wherein the sleeve is capable of assuming a first position anda second position.
 8. The elongated arms as set forth in claim 7,wherein placing the sleeve in the first position fixes the arms in asubstantially closed position.
 9. Tile elongated arms as set forth inclaim 1, wherein placing the sleeve in the second position limits theoutward movement of the arms to a predefined position.